Mr Zohree, a service engineer who heads to work at around 7am, said: "It takes 35 minutes tops to get to work. If I take public transport like trains and feeder buses, it takes me between 90 and 120 minutes."

The sole breadwinner said the inconvenience and transport costs will rise without the use of a motorcycle as he is also required to visit secluded work sites.

Premiums for Category D (motorcycles) rose by $289 from $6,600 in the Dec 23 tender.

Since last year, the motorcycle industry has been urgently asking the authorities to step in and ease the pent-up demand for motorcycle COEs.

Mr Ong Kim Hua, sole distributor of KTM motorcycles in Singapore, said: "We can try to absorb some of the increase in COE premiums to help our dealers. But we can't keep absorbing."

Across the board, all motorcycle brands sold here, except for a handful, saw a decline in yearly new motorcycle registrations in 2015.

Mr Ong said: "I used to think those who are able to buy pricier KTM motorcycles could afford to withstand increases in COE premiums. I'm a little concerned now when my customers tell me they'll wait and see before buying their next KTMs."

'BLEEDING OUT'

Some industry players believe the current low supply of COE quotas for motorcycles and the "bleeding out" of motorcycle COEs to contribute to the open class (Category E) are to blame. Ten per cent of de-registered motorcycle COEs are transferred to Category E.

Mr Lee Kwan Meng, a spokesman for Hong Leong Yamaha, said: "An increase of $30 to $50 in bike COE premiums is okay. But jumps of between $200 and $300 each time are worrying.

"The solution is simple, Category D needs more COE quotas to cool premiums."

At present, there is quota of about 350 motorcycle COEs in each bidding exercise, compared to between 500 and 700 in 2004.

High COE premiums hurt lower-income riders like Mr Zohree, who is eyeing the 200cc and below category. This category makes up about 70 per cent of the total bike population.

In 2013, for example, a biker could buy a small motorcycle for less than $6,500 with COE premiums then below $2,000.

But prevailing COE premiums will now make the same motorcycle cost twice as much, said Mr Rex Tan of Ban Hock Hin.

Mr Tan said: "Today, a biker will see his monthly instalments double after buying a small bike."

Going the second-hand route, while appealing due to cheaper prices, may seem like an obvious choice. But it might not be a long-term solution.

Mr Ong said: "Sooner or later, prices for the second-hand market will also increase as more who can't afford to buy new motorcycles venture this route.